Thomasville, Ga – Beautiful Old Homes

Thomasville – Thomas County – We finally took a road trip to Southwest Georgia last month and spent a few days in Thomasville. Several people suggested a visit to Thomasville, and I’m so glad they did! Loved the charming downtown shops and restaurants. There are so many great old homes here, with many from the late Victorian era when the town was known as a winter resort.

Leroy enjoyed walks around Thomasville – and got him to stand still for more than 5 seconds to take a picture in front of one of the many great old homes in town.

Leroy stopped at this beautiful home

Also undergoing some renovation is the Herberner House, built in 1857 and enlarged around 1820. This home was the vacation home of Baron and Baroness Vicco von Stralendorff. They hosted the famous sculptor Elisabet Ney and her husband Edmund Montgomery in their home.

The Herberner House, built 1857

The Dr T.E. Blackshear house stopped me and Leroy in our tracks on one of his walks. Well, that and we stop every 5-10 feet anyway…just loved the look of this home, and wanted to hang out on that front porch!

Dr T. E. Blackshear House, built circa 1900

The antebellum home below is the Ransom Reid House – what a beautiful home!

Ransom Reid House, circa 1854

The Lapham-Patterson House below is open as a house museum – what an interesting place! Built in the 1880s for a cost of $4,500 this 19 room Victorian was one of the first winter cottages. Charles Lapham, a shoe manufacturer from Chicago, had a fear of fires. And his fear of being trapped in a house fire led to the house having 45 doors! Over the years it was sold to James Patterson, whose daughter deeded it to the city, who transferred it to the state, etc. It’s one amazing Victorian home to explore, and well worth a tour!

Lapham-Patterson House, built 1885

The James Watt house originally had a large central tower. Watt is believed to be the first owner of a chain of hardware stores in the state of Georgia.

James Watt House, Built 1895

All Saints Episcopal Church is the oldest original church in Thomasville. The church was moved from it’s original location. Jacqueline Kennedy retreated to Thomasville for privacy after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, and she attended mass at All Saints.

All Saints Episcopal Church, Built 1881

One of the oldest houses in its area, the Judge Augustin Hansell House was designed by famed local architect John Wind. He designed several of the large plantation houses that surround Thomasville. Interestingly, this house stayed in the Hansell family for 120 years.

Judge Hansell House, built 1853

The Ainsworth House is in the midst of a restoration. This Italianate home was built for livery stable owner H.B. Ainsworth

Ainsworth House, Built 1882

Balfour House was a favorite of mine. Built in 1904, I loved the double porches on this house! It’s said the interior wood for this house was hand picked.

Balfour House, 1904

Originally painted barn red, Burbank Cottage was built for Mrs. Evelyn Burbank of Wisconsin. The house is currently for sale, click here to see this home. There’s an orangery that’s used as a sunroom now. Really interesting looking home!

Burbank Cottage

The Pittman House, circa 1888 was another favorite as we walked around Thomasville. Love the wraparound porch! The Pittman House has been in the family for 5 generations.

Pittman House

Leroy and I both really liked the Jerger House below. Built by Mrs. Cornelia Bird, a widow. Over the years the house was sold to the publisher of the local paper, and the Jerger family lived in the home from 1925 to 1995.

Jerger House, Built 1891

That’s our quick tour of a few of the beautiful old homes around Thomasville. For a look at visiting Thomasville, you can get great ideas here. We took lots of photos, so I will have another post in the future visiting more homes in Thomasville. Thanks so much for reading the blog, we sure do appreciate it!

Hi Dan, I only have the contractor listed on this – T.E. Amason of Thomasville. I looked at that picture of your house and can see the resemblance! Thanks for the note, and it made me realize I need to visit Cherokee Co soon. Thanks, Lane